The Tables Turned eBook

C. N. (jumping up with a howl).
Ah, they are upon me! That dreadful word “citizen”!
(Looks at M. P. and staggers back).
Oh, Lord! is it? Yes, it is—­the
woman that I sentenced on that horrible morning, the
last morning I adorned the judicial bench.

M. P. What is the matter?
And how badly you’re dressed; and you seem
afraid. What can you be afraid of?
If I am not afraid of the cows, I am sure you needn’t
be—­with your great thick stick, too. (She
looks at him and laughs, and says aside, Why to
be sure, if it isn’t that silly, spiteful old
man that sentenced me on the last of the bad days
before we all got so happy together!) (To N.)
Why, Mr. Nupkins—­citizen—­I
remember you; you are an old acquaintance: I’ll
go and call my husband.

M. P. Spare you, citizen?
Well, I could have spared you once, well enough, and
so could many another poor devil have done. But
as to dying in the copse, no, I really can’t
let you do that. You must come home to our house,
and we’ll see what can be done with you.
It’s our old house, but really nice enough,
now; all that pretty picture of plenty that I told
you about on that day when you were so hard upon me
has come to pass, and more.

C. N. Oh, no! I can’t
come!

M. P. Oh, yes; you can get as far
as that, and we’ll give you something to eat
and drink, and then you’ll be stronger.
It will really please me, if you’ll come; I’m
like a child with a new toy, these days, and want
to show new-comers all that’s going on.
Come along, and I’ll show you the pretty new
hall they are building for our parish; it’s such
a pleasure to stand and watch the lads at work there,
as merry as grigs. Hark! you may hear their trowels
clinking from here. And, Mr. Nupkins, you mustn’t
think I stole those loaves; I really didn’t.

M. P. How can you talk such
nonsense? Why, on earth, should I murder you?

C. N. (sobbing). Judicially,
judicially!

M. P. How silly you are! I
really don’t know what you mean. Well,
if you won’t come with me, I’m off; but
you know where to go when you want your dinner.
But if you still owe me a grudge, which would be very
silly of you, any of the people in the houses yonder
will give you your food. [Exit.